The Chief Sanganayaka of Western Province, the chief incumbent of Abhayarama, the chairman of Public Services Nurses Union, Most Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera marks another milestone in his journey of life. We would like to extend our heartfelt blessings to this great sanga leader who emerged as a source of power. He as a great leader became irresistible force in the protection of the sovereignty of the country and freedom of its people.
The Thera was born to a respectable family in Muruththettuwa , a rural village in Sabaragamuwa Province. After ordaining to bhikkuhood he completed the pirivena education successfully as a member of a honourable bhikkhu tradition. Accordingly, with the blessings of Most Ven. Pathberiye Dhammaloka Thera and Most Ven. Radelle Panyaloka Thera and as a bhikku of Kotte Kalyana Samagri Dhamma Sadha, Ven. Thera initiated national, religious and social services. It is not an exaggeration to note that Thera’s arrival at Abhayarama four decades ago was a beginning of a new era in Abhayarama and an exciting turning point in the life of the thera to achieve all his goals in life.

Decades ago, Abhayarama which is in the city of Colombo, was seen by many as an abandoned temple with dilapidated old buildings in a desolate state. After the Thera assumed the leading role at Abhayarama, this religious institution flourished and made an unimaginable progress by adding massive storied buildings a year by year according to a systematic plan. Today one cannot see the glimpse of the past devastated state of Abhayarama since it has been converted into a perfect temple with all features of a temple along with modern amenities. Ven. Ananda Thera should have the honour of this transformation of this religious institution. It has been an annual event to add a new building in celebration of his birthday. Hence the Thera is fondly known among the monks as one who cannot stay idle and always engages in some other work. The Ven. Thera converted this Abhayarama into a centre where local and foreign relationships are established and various projects are carried out for the welfare of the innocent people with the patronage of local and foreign devotees. The Abhayarama Purana Viharaya, which has a well-organised Dhamma School for the children of the devotees as well as a strong Dayaka Sabha, is a testament to the strength of the leadership of the Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera. 

At every dawn, anyone who visits Abhayarama will be able to see the daily rituals of devotional Buddha poojas and Bodhi poojas  performed in the most respected manner by   the Thera himself, no matter how busy he is. The Ven. Thera possesses all the strengths that an incumbent of a temple should have and he offers the proper leadership.
Meeting the needs of the temples, developing and caring for them, working with donors and assisting the Bhikkus Ven. Ananda Thera holds various positions based on the social needs of the community. The leadership he offers by protecting the bhikkuhood is commendable. It is well-known that Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera is also the leader of the Public Services United Nurses Association which leads such a large social group of nurses in Sri Lanka. He may be the only monk that leads a highly successful trade union in Sri Lanka for the first time. That leadership is sustainable and courageous. It should also be noted that many of the professional rights and privileges enjoyed by nurses in the nursing profession today would not have been possible without his leadership. This great leadership of the Ven. Ananda thero has been a headache for many political leaders who ruled the country. Therefore, there were many incidents where they tried to find the faults in his bhikkuhood to tarnish the Thera’s noble character. Politicians who could not find any fault with him, could only imprison the Ven. Ananda Thera. It should be noted that the people concerned then came to co-operate with him and the rulers had to kneel before him because of the bhikku personality he had so well protected. It is also worth mentioning that the establishment of the Professional Education professionals’ Association in the teaching profession of this country and the courageous leadership given to win the struggles against the education authorities and bureaucrats were extraordinary events.

The contribution made by Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera in rescuing the country and the nation from the menace of terrorism for over 30 years is significant. His leadership given in commencing various bhikku organizations and national organizations and mobilizing patriotic monks in the country was commendable. Narahenpita Abhayarama was a place of indignation of rulers, but also a place being shot and attacked when meeting and discussions were held. None of these incidents could change the attitudes and policies of our Thera and he and other patriotic monks were in view that terrorism should be eradicated in response to terrorism itself. He marked his 79th birthday yesterday (January 26) with great joy in a country that has been liberated from terrorism. During that time, various patriotic individuals and organizations were mobilised to defend the country and not only mobilising them, but also encouraged the soldiers of three forces who were on duty in the bunkers on the battle field were still in our minds.

Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera has shown a great leadership in leading religious and social organizations and giving the encouragement to devotees to do various virtuous and philanthropic contribution to the needy. Also the Thera has boldly extended his leadership in national and religious confrontations.  No one can forget the commitment shown by the Ven. Thera to bring the present government into power. At the same time the efforts taken by the Thera to guide and direct the present government in the correct path and assure the sovereignty of the country must be commended.

Even after assuming duties as the chancellor of University of Colombo, the Thera initiated many a project to uplift the conditions of the hostels by providing the necessary requirements of the hosteller and committing his best to increase the hostel facilities with new hostels. Further thousand scholarships are given annually for the under-privileged students to complete their degrees.  
We wish Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera who is engaged in such a great national, religious and social service a healthy and long life. 

(The writer is the Chief Adviser, Buddhist Brotherhood, Royal College Colombo 7)